Tubular column for conveying concrete or the like



Nov. 7 5, 1968 F. w. SCHWING 3,409,334

TUBULAR COLUMN FOR CONVEYING CONCRETE OR THE LIKE Filed April 26, 1966 4Sheets-Sheet 1 FM {I 59; d

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Nov. 5, 1968 'F. w. SCHWING 3,409,334

TUBULAR COLUMN FOR CONVEYING CONCRETE OR THE LIKE Filed April 26, 1966 4Sheets-Sheet 2 mvsmoa file DRICHWILHE lSplNG BY Amt-:98

TUBULAR COLUMN FOR CONVEYING CONCRETE OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledApril 26, 1966 FIG. 4

NOW 1968 F. w. SCHWING 3,409,334

TUBULAR COLUMN FOR CONVEYiNG CONCRETE OR THE LIKE Filed April 26, 1966 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. FKIQDHCHWM-IEM was United States Patent3,409,334 TUBULAR COLUMN FOR CONVEYING CONCRETE OR THE LIKE FriedrichWilhelm Schwing, 424 Dorstener Strasse, 468 Wanne-Eickel, Germany FiledApr. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 633,775 Claims priority, application Germany,May 3, 1966, Sch 38,926 6 Claims. (Cl. 302-64) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A tubular column for the conveyance of material, such asconcrete, made up of a stack of pipe frames which can be readily securedtogether or disengaged from each other, there being a counterbalancedlateral discharge pipe at the top which by means of a slewing joint canbe swung in a horizontal plane. The slewing joint may be at the top sothat the lateral discharge pipe essentially swings or at the bottom ofthe colmun so that the entire stack of pipe frame turns about a verticalaxis. In one form the tubular column can be tilted to an inclinedposition. Hoist means is provided by which the lower pipe frame alongwith those superimposed on it can be raised to enable adding pipe framesone at a time, or, alternatively, removing pipe frames for increasing ordecreasing the height of the tubular column or dismantling same.

Background of the invention It is customary, to pump conveyablematerials and/or mixtures through pipelines to points positioned onhigher levels. The advantage of this operation has been considerablydecreased when short conveying distances were involved because of theexpenditure in time and work needed for laying the pipeline and forsecuring it in place. If for example the concrete was to be delivered tovarious floors of a building considerable time is consumed with theditficult and dangerous task of fixing andconnecting the pipeline alongthe front. This expense was not related to the pumping process, whichoften lasted only a few hours. Dismantling of the pipeline had to berepeated in reverse sequence once the job was completed, since in mostcases the pipeline was required on another building site. When the pathof the pipeline extended across trenches or water courses or otherobstacles, it was always necessary to erect ramps or other kind of staysand supports.

Summary This invention deals with a transportable tubular column, whichis movable in relation to its base, and is adjustable to any desiredheight or length and is capable of remaining in position by virtue ofits own stability at certain heights. If in case of greater height itbecomes necessary to underprop or support the column, the slewability ofthe laterally movable tubular column is attained in that the verticaltubular column with its main section is standing firmly while the upperportion of same and the associated structure are construed pivotally byproviding one each slewing joint in the tubular column and ancillaryconstruction.

The lateral tubular column serves for reaching any remote point oflfioor slab surfaces. The usual interruption heretofore experienced ofthe pumping process and the re-laying of the horizontal pipeline onfloors are thus avoided. In the event, that the procuring range of thelateral tubular column is inadequate for lengthy buildings, thetravelling properties of the complete tubular column will serve theextension of the working range. A hose fixed to the end of the lateraltubular column enables the distribution of the conveyed material on thesurfaces. Likewise the material to be conveyed can also be charged intovertical chutes. If after a few days on the same building the materialmust be conveyed to the next floor or to another building on a lowerslab, the respective tubular sections are either added or removed bymeans of the hoisting arrangement and the guide section. Asuperpositioned doubletube device renders it possible to adjust suchsections of the tubular column by means of the hoisting arrangements,which may deviate in their heights. In case an inclined position of thetubular column is desired, in lieu of the slewing joints a hose isinstalled in the tube and the slewing rim at the bottom of the ancillaryconstruction is replaced by an axle, and inclined positions can beeffected by mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic adjusting means. It is tobe understood that material other than concrete can be advantageouslyhandled by this device.

Brief description of the drawings FiIGURE 1 is a schematic view in sideelevation showing a tubular column with a lateral dispensing sectionmounted on a trailer chassis, a broken line portion showing how thecolumn may be vertically extended.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic view in side elevation with the tubular columnmounted on a self-propelled vehicle which carries a concrete-handlingpump, the slew joint being at the upper portion of the column and thelatter being inclinedly adjustable, the broken line positions showingthe vertical extensibility and the inclined adjustment of the column.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary schematic view in side elevation of the columnbeing elevated by a cable and winch, a tubular section being in positionbeneath the column for engagement therewith.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing piston andcylinder assemblies to enable the column to be raised and loweredpneumatically or hydraulicly for elfecting vertical extension.

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of two frame parts withcentral tube portions showing the connecting devices for the frame partsand the tube portions.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring to FIG. 1, there isshown a trailer body 1 having supporting wheels 2 and a draft bar 3.Mounted on the platform of the trailer body 1 is a slewing joint 4 whichmay be of any desired constructions such as a disc fixed to the trailerupon which, a similar disc is rotatable on a vertical axis. If desired,suitable anti-friction bearings may be interposed between these discs.By having the tubular column slewable is meant that the column can turnon the spot where it stands. A fabricated metal base frame 5 is mountedon the slewing joint 4 and is generally rectangular in shape, havingvertical rails with horizontal braces. As will hereinafter appear, thebrace frame '5 provides the means by which the tubular column can beraised in order to add sections for increasing the vertical height, or,alternatively, for removing sections for decreasing the height. Withinthe base frame 5 is a portion of the tubular column which consists of aplurality of pipe frames 6 which are secured one to another. The

are connected will hereinafter appear. Suffice it to say at this time,that each pipe frame carries a centrally disposed vertical length ofpipe 7.

As shown in FIG. 1 a feed pipe or hose 8 may extend beneath the trailerbody 1 to deliver concrete or other material being conveyed to thelowermost pipe section 7. It will be seen that the uppermost pipe framehas a laterally bent pipe section 9 which is suitably secured to alaterally extending dispensing pipe 10 having a downturned end. Theweight of the lateral pipe 10 is counterbalanced through tie rods 11, acounter jib 12 with which is associated a ballast or counter-weight 13.This enables the pipe 10 along with the stack of pipe frames, to beturned through a radius of 360 about the slewing joint 4.

The broken line arrangement shown in FIG. 1 illustrates how the columncan be elevated to the desired height to enable delivery of concrete orother material being handled to the upper floor of a building underconstruction, for example.

In FIG. 2 there is shown a self-propelled truck 14 on the bed of whichis mounted an upright base frame 5', similar to the base frame 5 abovedescribed. This frame and its associated pipe frame 6' are mounted on atransverse axle 15 enabling the entire structure to be tilted such as tothe broken line position indicated at the right of the figure. Asuitably driven concrete pump 16 is mounted on the truck chassis forforcing concrete from a hopper 17 through a pipe 18 to a vertical pipe 7carried by the lowermost pipe frame 6 of the tubular column. Tilting ofthe column is effected by a piston and cylinder assembly 19 which may beoperated in any suitable manner, such as hydraulicly from a pump poweredby the truck engine.

In the structure according to FIG. 2 it will he manifest that due to thetilting arrangement of the tubular column, it cannot be turned inaccordance with the structure shown on FIG. 1. However, to enable thelateral dispensing pipe 10 to be swung in a horizontal plane, a slewingjoint 4' is provided adjacent the upper part of the top pipe frame. Thisis shown particularly in the broken line vertical view on FIG. 2. Thisslewing joint is similar to that above described, and in this case, thetubular column remains fixed and the dispensing pipe 10 has horizontalmovement to enable the contents of the tubular column to be delivered tothe desired location.

With reference to FIG. 5 the manner in which the pipe frames areconnected together is shown. In this instance, two pipe frames areshown, an upper one 6 and a lower one 6'. Each pipe frame is rectangularin shape and has vertically disposed angle arms with suitable diagonalbracing. Secured, as by welding, to the upper end of each frame is atransverse spider 20 which has a central socket member 21. An annulargasket 21a in the socket 21 provides a seal with a sleeve portion of theframe mounted thereupon. A sleeve 22 depends from the lower end of thesocket member 21 and receives the adjacent end of a pipe 23 which isfixed in place by welding or in any suitable manner.

At the lower end of each pipe frame is a transverse spider 24 which hasa central sleeve 25 to receive the lower end portion of the pipe 23which is fixedly secured in place. On the lower end of the sleeve 25 isa reduced sleeve portion 25a and this sleeve portion is capable offitting into the socket 21, where it is sealed in place by the gasket21a to prevent leakage of the material passing through the tubularcolumn.

In order to secure together adjacent pipe frames, such as 6 and 6' studs26 are fixed to the rim of spiders 24 and depend therefrom. Holes 27formed in the rims of the spiders 20 are positioned to receive the lowerend portions of the studs 26 and are of a size to afford a sliding fit.Each of the studs 26 has a vertically elongate hole 28, the upper edgeof which is relatively close to the lower face of the spider 20, so thatwhen wedges are driven into the holes 28, the pipe frames 6 and 6' aresecurely fastened together with the respective pipes in communicationwith each other to afford free passage of material, such as concrete,therethrough. The connection is such as to enable the pipe sections tobe separated from each other as occasion demands, such, for example, asfor decreasing the height of the tubular column, or for dismantlingsame.

FIG. 3 shows means by which the height of the tubular column can beincreased'or decreased. As shown, a hand operated winch 29 is mounted onthe base frame S. A cable 30 from the winch passes over sheaves 31 andthence downwardly to an anchor point 32 on the pipe frame. Bymanipulating the winch 2 9, the tubular column can be raised so that apipe frame 6 can be set in position beneath the frame 6, as indicated.Thereafter, the upper pipe frame 6 and the column thereupon, can belowered into place and the adjacent pipe frames secured as abovedescribed In FIG. 4 there is shown a pneumatic or hydraulic device foraccomplishing the same purpose as that of FIG. 3. In this instance,piston and cylinder assemblies 33 and 33 are arranged on opposite sidesof the base frame 5, the upper ends of the pistons being connected totransverse beams 34 and 34' respectively, which are suitably attached tothe sides of the pipe frame 6. Manifestly, by operating these piston andcylinder assemblies, the pipe frame 6 and any pipe frame or framessuperimposed thereupon forming the tubular column, can be raisedsufficiently to introduce or remove the pipe section 6', as will beclear from the above description.

What I claim is:

1. A tubular column for conveying concrete or the like, comprising aplurality of stacked separable pipe frames, each having a length of piperigidly secured thereto, each length of pipe being axially aligned withadjacent lengths to provide a tubular column, a supporting base for saidtubular column, detachable means for securing together adjacent pipeframes, a laterally extending discharge pipe at the uppermost pipeframe, and a slewing joint for enabling said discharge pipe to be swungabout an axis coincident with the axis of the tubular column, saidslewing joint being interposed between said base and said tubular columnso that the entire stack of pipe frames turns with said discharge pipe.

2. The organization as claimed in claim 1, in which said slewing jointis disposed at an intermediate location of said tubular column so thatthe upper portion thereof is turnable and the lower portion isrelatively stationary.

3. The organization as claimed in claim 1, comprising a pivotal mountingfor the lower end of said tubular column to enable tilting of the latterabout a horizontal axis, and means effecting such tilting movement ofthe tubular column.

4. The organization as claimed in claim 1, comprising means forcounterbalancing said laterally extending discharge pipe.

5. The organization as claimed in claim 1, in which each pipe framecomprises a fabricated structure, a spider fixed to the upper end ofsaid structure provided with a central sleeve, the upper portion ofwhich constitutes a socket, a pipe having its upper end engaging thelower end of said sleeve, the rim of said spider having studreceivingholes, a second spider fixed to the lower end of said structure having acentral sleeve into which the lower end of said pipe fits, said lastsleeve having an end portion dimensioned to fit into the socket of thepipe frame therebeneath, and studs depending from the rim of said secondspider and fixed thereto and for entry into the holes in the rim of theupper spider in the pipe frame therebeneath and means engaging the endportions of said studs for securing adjacent pipe frames together, saidmeans being removable to enable separation of adjacent frames.

6. The organization as claimed is claim 1, comprising an upright baseframe enclosing the lowermost pipe frame and spaced therefrom, and hoistmeans on said base frame for engagement with an adjacent pipe frame forelevating the latter and superimposed pipe frames to enable theinsertion of another pipe frame for increasing the height of the tubularcolumn, or, alternatively, for the removal of a pipe section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,582,274 4/1926 Kaltenbach 2l2562,857,994 10/1958 Sheard 2l264 X 3,030,152 4/1962 Hoshino 302-64 ANDRESH. NIELSEN, Primary Examiner.

